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September 9, 1850: Compromise of 1850
The compromise of 1850 was made by Henry Clay. This allowed CA to enter the union as a free state instead of being split in half by the 36-30 latitude line. Due to this being approved, the slave and non slave states were unequally balanced. In return, NM and UT could potentially become slave states based on popular sovereignty. CA added as a free state made the North happy with the deal and the possibility for NM and/or UT to become slave states made the Southerners happy with the compromise. -
September 18, 1850: Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act forced citizens to help find and capture runaway slaves. It also didn’t allow slaves to have the right to a jury trial. To guarantee this act was enforced, the 1850 law put individual cases in the hands of federal commissioners. Agents were paid more for returning suspected slaves rather than free. It was controversial because some thought this favored slave owners. It gained criticism and states like VA and WI passed new ideas to avoid or revoke the fugitive slave act. -
March 6, 1857: Dred Scott Case And Decision
Dred Scott was owned by John Emerson who lived in Missouri. Emerson served in the military and he sent Scott to IL, then WI, both free. Emerson died and Scott tried to gain freedom from Emerson's widow but was denied. He filed for freedom with the help of antislavery lawyers stating that his residency is under a free state/ territory and therefore it cuts off his connection with slavery. Due to Scott being an African American, he wasn’t considered a citizen and had no right to sue. -
November 6, 1860: The 1860 Election and Lincoln's Presidency
The Republican Party selected Lincoln as candidate. He was opposed to slavery. He stated that if slavery isn’t wrong then nothing is wrong but as a party, they pledged to keep slavery out of the territories that are against it but also to leave the slave states alone. Lincoln received the most electoral votes, making him president which caused the future confederates to start the secession process. -
December 20, 1860: Formation of the Confederacy
When Lincoln won the presidency, the southern states began their succession shortly after he was elected president. SC was the first state to secede from the union on Dec 20, 1860. About six weeks later MS, FL, AL, GA, LA and TX joined the Confederacy. Roughly 2 months after TX joined the Confederate states, VA, AR, NC and TN being the last on June 8, 1861 separated from the U.S. This was the final conflict that led to the beginning of the Civil War. -
April 12, 1861: Battle of Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter located in SC was attacked by the confederate military forces. Less than 2 days had passed since the attack and Fort Sumter surrendered. This marked the start of the Civil War, which ended up being the bloodiest war in American history. The Confederate states won the first battle of the civil war which led to an abundance of military support for both the Union and Confederate states. -
February 6, 1862: Battle of Fort Henry
The battle of Fort Henry was the first notable victory for the union. During this battle the union gained river and supply lines west of the Appalachian mountains due to the low numbers of confederates defenses on Fort Henry. Ten days after Fort Henry fell, the union captured Fort Donelson. This gave them control of the Cumberland and Tennessee River, both major waterways for the Confederates. -
September 17, 1862: Battle of Antietam
The battle of Antietam was the deadliest one day battle in American history. The union had 12,400 casualties and the confederates had 10,320. It also was a day long battle from morning to dusk. The first part of the battle was fought in a corn field. Then it moved to the sunken road which was also called the bloody lane due to the fact that so many confederates died in this phase and their trench was super bloody and filled with the deceased. Finally it ended at Antietam creek. -
July 1, 1863: Battle of Gettysburg
The battle of Gettysburg is the turning point for the union. The confederates headed towards Gettysburg to seize supplies but unexpectedly met union troops. The 1st day the confederates outnumbered the union and the union backed down. On the 2nd day the confederates are still in advantage but the union stays strong as night comes. The 3rd day approaches and the confederates have lost nearly 60% of their men due to casualties and Lee withdraws from Gettysburg leading to a victory for the union. -
July 4, 1863: Battle of Vicksburg
The union gained control of the Mississippi River which was a huge success. The Mississippi River was a crucial supply line for the South. This was a success for the union because since they were in control of the Mississippi River the states west of the Mississippi were cut off from trade with the states east of the Mississippi. Gaining control of the Mississippi River was part of the union's anaconda plan and it worked in their favor.